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Become a Referee

WE NEED YOU TO JOIN THE STRIPES!

As a fast-paced sport with many different moving parts, quidditch requires several officials. Every quidditch match is officiated by four to eight referees; a head referee, lead assistant referee, one to three assistant referees to support the lead assistant referee, a snitch referee, and two goal judges. These referees work together to ensure that each game is run safely and effectively. USQ’s referee program aims to certify referees to ensure the highest standards nationwide. Referee certification is an ongoing process, consisting first of a written and practical test, and supplemented by referee development programs, online resources, and a system to continually review referee performance.

USQ TIERED REFEREE CERTIFICATION

This tiered referee certification system aims to alleviate the burden of re-certification from our most skilled officials while increasing the quality of quidditch officiating. In December 2017, the tiered system was reworked. For more information, please visit this page.

All head referees are assigned a tier 1-4 immediately upon certification, beginning with tier 4. All four tiers are eligible to officiate as head referees during USQ official matches. Tiers are reassessed at least twice a year by the USQ Referee Team, in May and in December. Referee evaluations are crucial in assigning and changing tiers. Tiers are subject to change throughout the season outside of the formal assessments pending performance and evaluations.

CERTIFICATION AND RECERTIFICATION

Certification Deadline: Certification requirements must be completed at least 24 hours before a scheduled event at which a referee intends to officiate.

Must pass a field test before receiving a tier and becoming eligible to referee official games.

Certified head referees required for all official matches.

Returning Head Referees (Tier 1-4):

Returning head referees whose tiers have dropped below tier 4 are considered new referees.

Prerequisite: Lead assistant referee certification

Certified head referees required for all official matches.

Mandatory Tier Demotion: On May 1 of each year, all head referees receive an automatic demotion of 1 tier. If a referee failed to complete their required number of games refereed, required number of reviews, or has received significantly poor reviews, they may be demoted additional tiers. Referees will be informed of their tier and any feedback from reviews at least twice per year by email. Tiers are also available publically in the list of certified referees beginning May 2018. For more information on referee season requirements, please see the Referee Policies page.

Tier Advancement: In order to move up a tier or tiers (including returning to the tier held before the mandatory tier demotion) a referee must take a field test with a proctor of the same tier or higher. Based on the results of this field test and past performance, their tier will be reevaluated. A referee’s official tier will be included in their field test results.

Please note that being a certified referee is an ongoing responsibility. Referees are expected to maintain standards at all times and referee certification is subject to examination and withdrawal at any time based on professionalism and performance.

COMPENSATION

Field test proctors: $15/game (official or unofficial).

Head referees: $15/official game. $20/game at USQ regional and national championships.

Lead assistant referees: $10/official game.

Snitch runners: $8/official game.

Referee candidates are not paid for their field tests. The field test proctor will receive $15, even if the games are unofficial. For referees taking a field test at regional championships or US Quidditch Cup, the proctor will receive $15 and the referee will receive $5. Availability of field testing at regional championships and US Quidditch Cup is not guaranteed and referees are encouraged to field test at other events when possible.

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR WRITTEN REFEREE TESTS

A version of the written referee tests with additional time provided is available for any potential referees who need special accommodations. The tests are otherwise identical to the standard versions. If you need to utilize this option, please contact membership@usquidditch.org. We need a minimum of two business days to provide you with a link to the test, so please plan accordingly regarding referee test deadlines.

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US Quidditch (USQ) is a magical 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to governing the sport of quidditch and advancing the sport by organizing events and programs that build community and empower all genders to compete together. Inspired by the Harry Potter novels, USQ serves athletes and fans, from sport-lovers to book-lovers and everything in between.